Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

May 13, 2025

14/05/2025

Genome of near-extinct northern white rhino offers hope for reviving the species Breakthrough from Scripps Research, San Diego Zoo, Max Planck Institute and other collaborators paves way for stem cell-based reproduction.

May 13, 2025

LA JOLLA, CA The northern white rhinoceros is one of the rarest animals on Earth, with just two females left and no natural way for the species to reproduce. Now, an international team of scientists at Scripps Research, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, and other collaborators have mapped the entire genome of a northern white rhino. This represents a crucial step toward bringing the critically endangered species back from the edge using advanced reproductive technologies.

The complete genome can be used as a reference to analyze the health of previously developed northern white rhinoceros stem cells. Eventually, those stem cells may be able to generate sperm and eggs to yield new rhinos. The genome was published on May 13, 2025, in PNAS.

Professor Emeritus Jeanne Loring posing with a northern white rhinoceros. Credit: Jeanne Loring What's so exciting about this milestone is that we're getting closer to being able to rescue animals that otherwise might go extinct during our lifetimes, says co-senior author Jeanne Loring, Professor Emeritus at Scripps Research and a research fellow at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. This is great progress not only for white rhinos, but for the entire field of animal conservation.

The new effort combined cutting-edge DNA sequencing and genome mapping techniques to build a high-quality genome. Scientists used cells previously collected from a male northern white rhinoceros named Angalifu, who lived at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park until his death in 2014. At the time, his skin cells were cryopreserved in the San Diego Zoos Frozen Zoo .

We layered together multiple technologies to make the most accurate genomic map possible, says Loring. It's like the rhino version of the Human Genome Project.

This new genome also represents a vital tool toward saving the endangered species. In 2011, Loring's team created the first induced pluripotent stem cells from northern white rhinos. They have since, in collaboration with the San Diego Zoo, created other lines of stem cells from nine different individual northern white rhinos. These lab-grown cells have the ability to become any other cell type, including eggs and sperm that could potentially be used to create embryos.

Collaboration was integral to achieving this milestone, says Marisa Korody, a scientist in conservation genetics at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. This high-quality reference genome is a key piece of the puzzle that helps us understand how the stem cells are functioning and guides our next steps in the genetic rescue process. None of it would be possible without the Frozen Zoo and the rhinos whose cells were preserved decades ago.

But one major hurdle has always been quality control. Without a reference genome, scientists didn't know whether any of those stem cells had picked up harmful mutations during lab growth a common problem in both human and animal stem cells. In the new research, Loring's team was able to use the new, complete genome to analyze the previously created stem cell lineages. They discovered that one of the most promising of the stem cell lines had a large chunk of DNA missing more than 30 million base pairs affecting over 200 genes, including those involved in reproduction and tumor suppression.

If we hadn't built this genome, we wouldn't have known that, adds Loring. We thought we had a good stem cell line, but it turns out it had a mutation that could have made it unsafe to use for reproduction. Now we can go back and screen all the others. This becomes the gold standard for deciding which cells to move forward with.

The new genome also settled lingering questions about how different northern and southern white rhinos really are. Some earlier data suggested significant DNA differences that might make it risky for southern white rhinos to be implanted with northern white rhino embryos. But updated comparisons show their genomes are strikingly similar, giving scientists confidence that southern white rhinos which are far more numerous can serve as surrogates without major complications.

For Loring, who's been working on this project since 2007, the new genome is a symbol of what's possible. Now that we have their genome, we can apply all the tools we've developed for humans CRISPR gene editing, reporter genes, everything to help rescue them.

The work also sets a powerful example for other endangered species, Loring says. Efforts to save hundreds of different endangered species from mammals and birds to plants and corals depend on careful biobanking like that being done by the Frozen Zoo.

The Frozen Zoo had the foresight to freeze actual cells from these animals, she says. That means we're not trying to recreate a species from scraps of ancient, damaged DNA. We have the real thing.

Ultimately, the goal is to grow healthy embryos and implant them into surrogate mothers, then raise the resulting calves in protected environments. It's not Jurassic Park, Loring is quick to point out, and it doesn't depend on gene editing or engineering.

We're not resurrecting a mystery species we're restoring one we still know intimately, she adds. The rhino is big, gentle and unforgettable. It's the perfect symbol for what science can do to fight extinction.

In addition to Loring, authors of the study, Genomic map of the functionally extinct northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), were Gaojianyong Wang, Camilo Jose Hernandez-Toro, Alexander Meissner and Franz-Josef M ller of the Max Planck I
LINK: https://www.scripps.edu/news-and-events/press-room/2025/20250513-lorin...
See more stories from scripps

North America Stories

17/06/2025

Tegna Sets Major Expansion of Local News Programming

TYSONS, Va. Tegna is embarking on a notable expansion of its already substantial local news programming by launching live and on-demand local newscasts from 7 t...

17/06/2025

Television and Film Pioneer C. Francis Jenkins Honored

WASHINGTON One of Charles Francis Jenkins' many accomplishments the 1925 wireless transmission of moving images between the U.S. Navy's research facilit...

17/06/2025

Spectrum Awards $300,000 to Fifth Class of Spectrum Scholars

STAMFORD, Conn. Charter Communication's Spectrum has announced the fifth class in its Spectrum Scholars program. As part of the program, a group of 15 colle...

17/06/2025

RBFA selects EVS's Xeebra for New Replay Center

LI GE, Belgium The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has selected EVS's Xeebra video review system to power its new centralized VAR (Video Assistant...

17/06/2025

Remote Production Webinar to Include New Industry Experts' Feature

TVTech is adding a new Industry Experts feature to its monthly webinars, beginning with the Remote Production Transition Accelerates webinar Tuesday (June 1...

17/06/2025

TelevisaUnivision Taps EDO for Expanded Audience Measurement of ViX

NEW YORK TelevisaUnivision has expanded its use of EDO's TV measurement platform to include consumer behavioral measurement of TV ads on ViX, TelevisaUnivis...

17/06/2025

Sinclair's Multicast Networks Report Double Digit Audience Growth

BALTIMORE Sinclair is reporting what it is calling record-breaking growth and best-season-to-date ratings for its free, over-the-air multicast networks, Charg...

16/06/2025

Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Carmen Emmi, the Writer-Director of Plainclothes

By Bailey Pennick One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festi...

16/06/2025

Tegna Announces Major Expansion of Local News Programming

TYSONS, Va. Tegna Inc. is embarking on a notable expansion of their already substantial local news programming by launching live and on-demand, local newscasts ...

16/06/2025

Netflix Expands Programmatic Ad Sales with Yahoo DSP

Netflix has announced that it is expanding its global programmatic ad offerings by partnering with Yahoo DSP. This will enable brands to buy Netflix advertising...

16/06/2025

Roku, Amazon Team Up to Dominate CTV Ad Market

NEW YORK In a landmark agreement to overtake the burgeoning connected TV (CTV) advertising market, Amazon Ads and Roku today announced a new integration that gi...

16/06/2025

EdgeBeam Wireless Names Conrad Clemson CEO

ATLANTA, BALTIMORE, CINCINNATI and IRVING, Texas The four major broadcast groups behind the ATSC 3.0-based EdgeBeam Wireless datacasting joint venture today nam...

16/06/2025

Amazon MGM Studios to Deploy Avid Tools on AWS

BURLINGTON, Mass. Avid today announced an extended agreement with Amazon MGM Studios to integrate Avid's Media Composer and Avid NEXIS on Amazon Web Service...

16/06/2025

Maxon Epic Sale Drops June 16

Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, gaming and more, today announced the ...

16/06/2025

Alfalite launches Skypix a new ceiling-mounted Led panel...

Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED displays, announces the launch of SKYPIX RGBW & IM, a new series of ceiling-mounted LED panels designed specifi...

16/06/2025

Summer Sale: Big Discounts on Ivory II Pianos - Now Through June 30th!

Save 40% or More on All Ivory II Collections!From now through June 30th, enjoy huge savings on all Ivory II Piano Collections. Our biggest discounts ever are be...

16/06/2025

Behind The Broadcast Booth, Ep. 3: Golf. My Future. My Game. Founder and CEO Craig Kirby Talks Advocacy in Sports and More

Behind The Broadcast Booth, Ep. 3: Golf. My Future. My Game. Founder and CEO Cra...

16/06/2025

The REMI Revolution Is Here: How Remote Production Technology in Esports Pioneers a New Age of Broadcast

The REMI Revolution Is Here: How Remote Production Technology in Esports Pioneer...

16/06/2025

From Super Bowl to Indy 500, New Orleans Artist Frenchy' Captures Energy of Sports Production on Canvas

From Super Bowl to Indy 500, New Orleans Artist Frenchy' Captures Energy of...

16/06/2025

NFL Films Enhances Post Studio With Dolby Atmos Audio

NFL Films Enhances Post Studio With Dolby Atmos Audio Forty-three channels of audio enable the facility to migrate to immersive By Dan Daley, Audio Editor Mo...

16/06/2025

SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: Storj's David Colantuoni on Expanding Cloud-Based Storage to Live Sports Production

SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: Storj's David Colantuoni on Expanding Cloud-Based...

16/06/2025

Grass Valley 4K Cameras Head to Greece for View Master Events' New OB Truck

Grass Valley 4K Cameras Head to Greece for View Master Events' New OB Truck By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director Monday, June 16, 2025 - 2:33 pm Pri...

14/06/2025

Pluto TV Adds All Womens Sports Network's FAST Channel

NEW YORK Pluto TV and the All Womens Sports Network have launched a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) AWSN channel in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and the Nor...

14/06/2025

Scripps Inks Multiyear Agreement for WNBA Games on Ion

NEW YORK and CINCINNATI E.W. Scripps has announced a new, multiyear agreement with the WNBA that will continue Ions regular-season coverage of the league on Fri...

14/06/2025

NAB Highlights Hidden Importance of Spectrum in Major Sports Broadcasting

WASHINGTON The National Association of Broadcasters highlighted the hidden importance of spectrum in the production of major sporting events and described wha...

14/06/2025

1.0 Sunset, BPS and NextGen Broadcast's Potential Dominate ATSC Meeting

WASHINGTON Sunsetting ATSC 1.0, expanding business opportunities for NextGen Broadcast and increasing international adoption of the ATSC 3.0 standard were top o...

14/06/2025

Samba TV and Acxiom Announce Massive 40-market Global Expansion

SAN FRANCISCO Samba TV and Acxiom have announced that they will dramatically expand their longstanding relationship....

14/06/2025

San Francisco State University's School of Cinema Uses Blackmagic Design

San Francisco State University's School of Cinema Uses Blackmagic Design Brie Clayton June 13, 2025 0 Comments More than 40 Blackmagic Design came...

14/06/2025

Boris FX Mocha Pro Adds New AI Tools To Tackle VFX Tasks Fast

Boris FX Mocha Pro Adds New AI Tools To Tackle VFX Tasks Fast Jessie Electa Petrov June 13, 2025 0 Comments The 2025.5 release helps artists work more...

14/06/2025

AJA Debuts DRM2-Plus Mini-Converter Frame at InfoComm 2025

AJA Debuts DRM2-Plus Mini-Converter Frame at InfoComm 2025 Brie Clayton June 13, 2025 0 Comments Next-gen frame addresses diverse rackmount needs wit...

13/06/2025

Prime Minister: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Leader Who Champions Kindness

(L-R) Lindsay Utz, Michelle Walshe, and The Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern attend the 2025 Sundance Film Festival premiere of Prime Minister at Eccles T...

13/06/2025

Central Texas Storm Knocks out KTXS Tower, Severely Damages Building

ABILENE. Texas A severe storm knocked down the tower and severely damaged the news studio and main facility of Sinclair-owned KTXS here on Sunday, June 8....

13/06/2025

Berklee's Music Business/Management Department Recognized by the Music Biz Association

Berklee's Music Business/Management Department Recognized by the Music Biz A...

13/06/2025

ATSC Honors Aldo Cugnini, Clarence Hau

WASHINGTON The ATSC, the Broadcast Standards Association, honored veteran technologist Aldo Cugnini and Clarence Hau, Senior Vice President of Standards, Policy...

13/06/2025

ESPN Doubles Down on Immersive Fan Experience for UFL Championship

(Editor's note: The 2025 UFL Championship Game between the D.C. Defenders and Michigan Panthers kicks off Saturday, June 14, at 8 p.m. Eastern. The game wil...

13/06/2025

HBO Max Plans July Launches in 12 New Markets

LONDON Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that HBO Max will launch direct-to-consumer in multiple new countries this July as the streamer becomes available in...

13/06/2025

Verbit Launches Speaker Identification for Live ASR Broadcast Captions

AI voice transcription and captioning platform Verbit has added a new feature to its Captivate ASR solution the ability to identify specific features in automat...

13/06/2025

FCC's Anna Gomez Meets with TV Networks, Studio Execs and Unions

WASHINGTON Federal Communications Commission member Anna Gomez has wrapped up two weeks in California visiting broadcasters, television studio executives, enter...

13/06/2025

House Passes Rescission Package That Would Claw Back CPB Funding

WASHINGTON The U.S. House of Representatives voted mostly along party lines to approve a rescission package that would cancel $9.4 billion in previously approve...

13/06/2025

AJA Debuts DRM2-Plus Mini-Converter Frame at InfoComm 202...

At InfoComm 2025, AJA Video Systems announced DRM2-Plus, an intuitive, high-capacity 3RU frame that can neatly house up to 24 AJA Mini-Converters. Tailored to s...

13/06/2025

National CineMedia Selects Operatives Suite of AI-Based C...

Cinema advertising leader to leverage AOS and suite of AI-enabled solutions to optimize forecasting, yield management, and streamlined ad sales and operations a...

13/06/2025

Manfrotto Unveils Unique New Tripod System for Mirrorless...

Manfrotto has launched the ONE Hybrid Tripod, a new support system designed specifically for professional content creators working with mirrorless cameras acros...

13/06/2025

Synamedia unveils security enhancements to its Media Edge...

Leading video software provider, Synamedia, today announced that its Media Edge Gateway (MEG), an ATSC 3.0 software-based IRD, now supports Device Security requ...

13/06/2025

LiveU Strengthens Presence in DACH Region with Strategic...

LiveU, the global leader in live IP-video contribution, production and distribution solutions, is deepening its commitment to the German-speaking market with th...

13/06/2025

Chaos Adds AI Tools Faster Animation Renders and More Sty...

Chaos, the leader in architectural visualisation software, today announces Chaos Corona 13, giving archviz designers new ways to add eye-catching style and flai...

13/06/2025

PALI's Nena Music Video Shot with Blackmagic Design

PALI's Nena Music Video Shot with Blackmagic Design Brie Clayton June 12, 2025 0 Comments Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K and DaVinci Resolve Studio b...

13/06/2025

OddBeast Powers Up iRobot's Newest Roombas with Suite of CGI Launch Assets

OddBeast Powers Up iRobot's Newest Roombas with Suite of CGI Launch Assets Brie Clayton June 12, 2025 0 Comments The motion design and production ...

13/06/2025

On Chick Coreas Birthday, a Newly Uncovered Archival Release

On Chick Coreas Birthday, a Newly Uncovered Archival Release The Visitors, composed by Corea and performed by vibraphonist Gary Burton and pianist Kirill Gers...

13/06/2025

SVG Sit-Down: Backblaze's Gleb Budman Talks Products, Partnerships, and the Growth in Cloud Storage

SVG Sit-Down: Backblaze's Gleb Budman Talks Products, Partnerships, and the ...

13/06/2025

SVG Sit-Down: DAZN's Walker Jacobs Calls Streaming the FIFA Club World Cup The Most Ambitious Thing We've Ever Done in the U.S.'

SVG Sit-Down: DAZN's Walker Jacobs Calls Streaming the FIFA Club World Cup ...